Things are heating up inside the NBA as we’re nearing the trade deadline and the All-Star Break. In looking at this week’s slate of games, there are some very good games on the docket. In terms of betting, we have found a couple of games that we think you may be interested in. We’ll preview each of those games, and then we’ll give you our best NBA betting advice.
Top Week 17 Betting Matchups and Picks for this Week
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Los Angeles Lakers – Tuesday Night
After blowing a sizable lead to the New Orleans Pelicans and losing to a team that had lost ten straight games, the Los Angeles Lakers will be looking to get back on the winning track at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night.
If the playoffs were to start tomorrow, the Lakers wouldn’t make the cut, as they’re currently sitting in 13th place in the Western Conference. The Thunder are currently in 12th place, one game ahead of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles was hoping to win the Kyrie Irving sweepstakes, but the Mavericks had more to offer, so the Lakers are headed into Tuesday’s game disappointed. On the plus side for the Lakers, after Saturday’s game, LeBron James is just 46 points shy of surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record. James would love to get the record and put all of the commotion behind him.
As for the Thunder, they are headed in the right direction. After assembling a team of high draft picks, with even more in the near future, the future looks bright for this group. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a first-time All-Star, and he is playing great basketball. He is leading the way for this budding young group of superstars.
We think that the Lakers will have the advantage on Tuesday night. Anthony Davis and LeBron are both playing well, and with an energized crowd hoping to see an all-time achievement, the Lakers will beat the Thunder. We assume that Los Angeles will be a slight favorite, and we think that this will be a close game.
Dallas Mavericks @ Los Angeles Clippers – Wednesday Night
There will be a ton of excitement surrounding this game. After acquiring Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, the Mavericks are looking to make a long playoff run. The Mavs are just one game behind the Clippers in the Western Conference standings. If Irving passes his physical on Monday, he should be in Los Angeles ready to play with Luka Doncic and the Mavericks on Wednesday.
The Clippers were said to be one of the top teams in the hunt for Irving, but they fell short of their goal. The Clippers will be ready to prove to everyone that they don’t need Irving and want to beat the Mavericks.
We don’t see the chemistry being automatic between Doncic and Irving, so they’ll need some time to figure things out. Los Angeles will be favored in this one, and they’ll win this game. We see them winning this one big, as they’ll be out to prove that they don’t need Irving to be a contender.
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